This book is a reclamation of the Mexican tradition of serenading, of demonstrating romantic affection proudly, publicly, and through song. The story follows a young boy learns from his musician father about the importance of this tradition. One day, however, the boy asks his father if a song exists for a boy who loves a boy. The father, surprised by the question and unsure of how to answer, must decide how to honor his son and how to reimagine a beloved tradition. Watch a tradition expand as limitations are lifted to include everyone, all the way to remembering Xochipilli, the Mesoamerican deity of creativity, dance and song. A perfect book to bring together tradition and inclusion, and to support our LGBTQ young ones in knowing that they belong and always have, while providing pride in both our Mexican heritage and our LGBTQ culture and history as families.
About the Author: Written by Ernesto Javier Martínez Illustrated by Maya Gonzalez
Ernesto Javier Martínez is an award-winning writer, scholar, and educator. He was born in Oakland, California and raised by a Mexican immigrant father and a Puerto Rican mother. He earned a B.A. in English from Stanford University, and an M.A./Ph.D. in English from Cornell University. Currently, he is a tenured faculty member in the Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of Oregon. Martínez has served as the Interim Head of the Department of Ethnic Studies, the Co-Chair of the Association for Jotería Arts, Activism, and Scholarship (AJAAS), and as a member of the Coordinating Team for the Future of Minority Studies (FMS) research project. He is a recipient of the National Association for Latino Arts and Cultures (NALAC) Artist Grant, the Provost's Fund for Faculty Excellence Award, the Vice-President for Research and Innovation Faculty Award, the Outstanding Faculty Award, and the Lambda Literary Award. He is also the recipient of fellowships from the Ford Foundation, the Woodrow Wilson Foundation, and the Mellon Foundation.
QUOTES: “What a groundbreaking gem of a book that recognizes and celebrates the first heartbeats of a boy’s crush on another boy. This sensitively written story and its stunning illustrations hold up to the light an emotional truth that has heretofore been whispered and sings it to life!”-- Rigoberto González, award-winning author, critic and educator “A book for parents as much as for children that should have been published centuries ago.”-- F. Isabel Campoy, award-winning children's book author and educator “Families of all backgrounds will love this sweet, evocative, beautifully illustrated book. It transported me to childhood places and reminded me, now as a mom and educator, of how important it is to cultivate our “garden of memories” with mariposas, fuerza, and kindness. Trabajo conmovedor!”-- Renata Moreira, Executive Director, Our Family Coalition “When We Love Someone We Sing to Them is touching, beautiful, and necessary. The intricate weaving of song through relationships—between parent and child, child and parents, child and love—gives life to a story that children can embrace from the heart.”-- Innosanto Nagara, bestselling author of 'A Is for Activist' and more “Every word and vibrant illustration in this book makes my heart flutter. How wonderfully refreshing to read a story that unstitches tradition to reweave it with enough space for us all.”-- Lourdes Rivas, educator and author of They Call Me Mix “A wonderful reminder to us as parents, guardians, and caregivers that children already recognize the harmony of el bonito amor and need us to help them share it.”-- Manuel Muñoz, award-winning author and educator. // REVIEWS: Interview w/ Ernesto Javier Martínez (Latinx Talk, February 2019) https://latinxtalk.org/2019/02/19/when-we-love-someone-we-sing-to-them-cuando-amamos-cantamos/ 2. Book Review, Mombian https://www.mombian.com/2018/10/11/new-childrens-book-is-a-bilingual-love-song-from-one-boy-to-another/
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Book Author
Written by Ernesto Javier Martínez Illustrated by Maya Gonzalez
